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Topic Review (Newest First)

11-25-2012 07:10 PM

kotyara

Re: First boat: Cal 2-27, Pearson 28 or Islander 28?

Oh, believe me, I will be careful. I've looked at the depth charts around the channel, there's no room anywhere past the entrance markers. I'm sure it'll be even more exciting come summer winds.

Thanks for the tip on Brisbane, I missed it somehow when I scouted the area. Even their web site looks more inviting somehow, and it looks like it's quite a bit cheaper than Oyster Point to boot, so maybe it would be a good idea to get on a waiting list, especially with the exodus from Pete's Harbor.

11-25-2012 04:49 PM

br3nt

Re: First boat: Cal 2-27, Pearson 28 or Islander 28?

Congrats on the boat. I'll second the advice about going in and out of Coyote Pt. We were at Coyote Point up until a few months ago. We really liked it there, staff was great and the other boaters were generally friendly. Once you get in it's pretty well protected with nice weather for work days. After we got a little more comfortable we moved up to Oyster Pt as we got really tired of looking at the airport so much. Oyster Pt isn't quite as nice and there's no protection but it ends up feeling a lot closer to the City and the bay. The wind at Oyster Pt is brutal coming out of the marina towards the end of the day. You may want to consider getting on a waiting list at Brisbane if you want something more protected and you're planning on moving up this way.

11-25-2012 04:14 PM

SlowButSteady

Re: First boat: Cal 2-27, Pearson 28 or Islander 28?

Be careful going in and out of Coyote Pt. Marina. Many a boat has been grounded when they stray out of that channel. Keep an eye on the range markers as you enter AND leave, and stay lined up even well before the first set of marks.

11-25-2012 01:23 PM

kotyara

re: First boat: Cal 2-27, Pearson 28 or Islander 28?

Thanks for the advice guys. I completely agree, keeping her within easy reach of home/work would be important, as there're quite a few little things I'd like to work on. Coyote Point seems to be a good compromise in that sense: 30min drive, what seems like a pretty calm sailing area, but still within a one-way daysail to central bay. I'm not planning to go anywhere near the Gate for the foreseeable future, but it'd still be nice to have the option.

With that in mind, I moved the boat there yesterday. Time was a little short and wind very light, so I had to motor-sail once I crossed the Bay bridge unfortunately, but it was a nice trip nevertheless. Made me appreciate a good diesel as it could move the boat at hull speed without straining. Traffic was pretty hectic around there, I passed two container ships and a tug towing a large barge in the span of 45min it took me to cross the bridge.

The entrance to the Coyote Point is pretty tight and I managed to run aground lightly (I was barely moving at around 2 kts), but a gentle reverse got me free. Hopefully, I won't find any damage once she gets a haul out in a few weeks (I got it as part of the survey deal, might as well use it).

11-25-2012 01:03 PM

svHyLyte

re: First boat: Cal 2-27, Pearson 28 or Islander 28?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kotyara

Yes, that is what I'm guestimating. I'll have to start early to peek out of the Gate, but it is still better than about 5 hours out of Redwood City. The next harbor north is Oyster Point, and that would be close to an hour drive... There's also Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, but ocean sailing is a little out of my reach just yet. As I said, if you know of other options, I'd appreciate them.

I suggest you click over to Activecaptain.com and register (it's free) and use the interactive charts/google maps to inspect the areas around the Bay that you can more easily access from Cupertino. Frankly, from Cupertino, there are few really "convenient" harbors although some are less inconvenient than others and I agree that, initially, you'll want the boat rather closer to home than not. It will also be advantageous to have a sailing area that is relatively less demanding vis-a-vis weather and traffic while you are "learning the ropes" and the boat. The Cal 29 is quite a good safe, fast boat but you'll need time to learn her what-fors. Later on you might move her up to somewhere like the Alameda estuary where there is an abundance of good marinas and reasonable access to the Central Bay. We had our boat there for awhile, at Barnhill Marina--now known as Marina Village--mostly because my (much) better half was addicted to the Oyster Stew that used to be served at the adjoining Rusty Pelican after we finished sailing, and she liked Jack London Square, which was a short hop across the Estuary.

N'any case, good luck with the boat.

11-25-2012 01:01 PM

SlowButSteady

re: First boat: Cal 2-27, Pearson 28 or Islander 28?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex W

Since it is your first boat and you'll probably be doing some work on it I'd keep it close to home at first. You can move it closer to better sailing destinations later. I'm on my second boat, and on both my first and second boats I've been visiting it multiple times per week for the first 4-6 months as I work on projects and get it setup the way that I like. After that my visits trailed off and having it farther away wouldn't be a problem. Boats are easy to move and moorage isn't hard to find when you aren't in a hurry.

Alex has a very good point. You probably won't want to take the boat into The Slot until you get some experience anyway. Keep her closer to home so you can work on the bizzilion little projects a newly acquired boat always seems to have and polish you sailing skills in the South Bay for a while. Just keep off the shoals and keep away from those old pilings/submerged breakwaters/et cetera.

11-25-2012 11:54 AM

Alex W

re: First boat: Cal 2-27, Pearson 28 or Islander 28?

Since it is your first boat and you'll probably be doing some work on it I'd keep it close to home at first. You can move it closer to better sailing destinations later. I'm on my second boat, and on both my first and second boats I've been visiting it multiple times per week for the first 4-6 months as I work on projects and get it setup the way that I like. After that my visits trailed off and having it farther away wouldn't be a problem. Boats are easy to move and moorage isn't hard to find when you aren't in a hurry.

11-24-2012 02:07 AM

kotyara

re: First boat: Cal 2-27, Pearson 28 or Islander 28?

Yes, that is what I'm guestimating. I'll have to start early to peek out of the Gate, but it is still better than about 5 hours out of Redwood City. The next harbor north is Oyster Point, and that would be close to an hour drive... There's also Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, but ocean sailing is a little out of my reach just yet. As I said, if you know of other options, I'd appreciate them.

11-24-2012 01:10 AM

SlowButSteady

re: First boat: Cal 2-27, Pearson 28 or Islander 28?

In that size boat, Coyote Pt. to the Central Bay is close to a three hour haul.

11-23-2012 07:25 PM

kotyara

re: First boat: Cal 2-27, Pearson 28 or Islander 28?

Actually both Cal 2-27 and Pearson 28 were at RYC, and Cal 29 is still at BYC until tomorrow, so I visited there a few times. The club and the harbor looked very nice and active, lots of boats, lots of events it seemed. I was there on the day of their season-ending halloween regata and it looked like lots of fun, lots of costumes, a live band cruising around the docks.

Unfortunately, I live in Cupertino, right next to San Jose, it takes me over an hour to get there without traffic, so for now I'm planning to get a slip at Coyote Point in San Mateo, about 30min drive and I'm hoping somewhat within reach of the Gate. Next year I'm thinking of moving to the city, if that happens I'll have to look around for something closer to all the action, RYC would definitely be high on the list.

If you find yourself back in the area, drop me a line. I'd love to thank you in person for all the good advice.

Cheers,
Alex.

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